Images and footage from the snow-white beach along Florida's west coast showed sun worshipers and spring breakers packed on the sand this weekend.

While some beaches on the east coast were closed due to the deadly flu-like virus, also known as COVID-19, crowds still came, despite the warnings.

Tampa beaches near Clearwater also were open and busy this weekend, reports WFLA. 

The coronavirus pandemic has been blamed for 6,500 deaths around the globe. 

There have been more than 4,700 confirmed cases and more than 90 deaths from the infection in the US. 

Cities and states around the nation have responded to the outbreak by closing schools and shuttering bars, restaurants and venues where large gatherings take place, asking people to social distance themselves until the virus is contained.